Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-20
P0LYTE.


A happy home that of the Sigaults the
husband John, sober workman, his wife
Theresa, gentle and honest To complete the
family an urchin years of age, NJ Polyte-
very devil, said his father, and with that
always first in school
John Sigault was skillful moder. The
resa was known as the most tasteful milliner
q Montinartie.
All that little world lived without any
other care but the future of NJ Polyte
Father and mother prepared TO drain them
selves when that would become necessary, as
Polyte had already shown some inclination
toward the learning Of an art whose ap-
premiership costs great deal. John had a
friend named Robert, Stonecutter EN-
pl"yed in the studio OF a celebrated sculptor.
the child had been admitted in the con-
temptation Of the world renowned artists of
whom the two Workmen spoke of as IA dcmigod.
At hrSt Nj. Folyte was lntlmldated; then he
lanilt,ized himself when lie saw the great
man. Nothing was less imposing than this
short, Old fellow, wearing a blouse abominably
h'lculated, occupying himself IN the making
"f sina'l balls OF sticky clay with his clamtny
fingers lhIs cry from the heart escaped
from the lips of tins Partisan gamin: "Papa,
when am big will be a sculptor, because
at least that is dirty =
The member Of the institute de France,
who was aint of wdg. declared that this
exclamation might pass for al unequivocal
manifest ttion Of an artists vocation. The
good parents did moi 20 further.
From this memorable day. when Theresa
had To work late in cutting, repairing and
washing the clothes and linen of "her men,"
she said 10 the boy: All right now, only
when catnot work any more, monsieur the
sculptor, II is you who shall work for me-"
Then from an early period Polyte was
taught that the destlnies of his family would
rest one day entirely OH his conduct and
! labor
Besides, John Sieault had been soldier
and his moral education OF his child bore
marks OF his military HE. Early he took
care to develop the sentiment of RESPONSE
hility in his son by making him believe that,
| III some time 10 come, he would have to sup
port bis parents.
So 1t was, when the noider left Theresa
alone III the house, lac said TO Folyte, Boy
am going out and place mamma under your
protection; You stand sentinelT
And Polyte, honored with such high conf
dence, would have allowed any one to make
mlncemeat of him rather than go out and
play with the other urahius of the neighbor-
hood
Those humble people, SO quiet, so loving. so
| united, were too happy That could not last
hong.
The 18th OF July, 1910, the declaration of
war 10 Germany was published in Paris
From that day John was not the same maI.
That model of a workman, having absolus civ
nothing to do in the shop. exuended his whole
time in the reading of newspapers. One even
ing he came home, pale with rage. The Ger
mans were in sight of Paris!
During the following night he had the fever
a patriotic one His despair broke out into
terrific invectives oy,inst his aco,;sr, of q
iiappy husband and a timorous father. so
much that Theresa. although she had nothing
of a heroine in her ended by 1,laciarizincy that
lannon's Dbrase a And now o., to tiobt y
And ba wont
IN few doys bs bod ,,,,, a,rai,, nis so,.
geant's stripes One morning he maid a visit
Ills colonel had granted bin a twelve bours,
| furlouch and given him the military medal
awarded to the sergeant 10y the republic for
the bravery he had dispIayed in the several
encounters with the Germans He couId not
| GET "A tweuty-f4q,r hours l.ay,, of sbsenca he
cause his regiment had Ia make n sortia ON
| TIN. foIlnwinp ,ti,-ht Friend Rol.nrt tho s+ona-
cuttar. called ut,ou John TO present him with
his congratulations for the honor that he had
received from the government, He offered
| i. -. ~.
| absence. John, who knew the parsonage as
unfit to watch over any ones house, replied
smiling:
MANY thanks. | have here rigid septi-
| nell is that lot true Polytel"
"Of course" answered that embryo of a
man with tn, ininitahle accant of the poIls
son of Paris and raising himself ON the top of
| his feet.
| Yes. he was to be a rigid sentinel, the poor
| child as from this day nothing was heard of
| John Sigault in the modest apartment of
Montmartre. After that sortie the squad of
the brave sergeant had returned without their
| chief; killed or taken during the battle they
would not say-in any case he was missing.
4.
Since the month of March, 1871, poverty
| had stricke; hard the home previously SO
| contented The slowly gathered resources
had foundered quickly. Theresa worn out
ny disquietude and privations, fell sick, and
the terrible days of the Commune happening
unexpectedly, the situation of the mother and
child became very critical
The young one did not complain, did not
cry, did not fret Not that be was uncon-
scious of the dangers that threatened his
mother and himself. His deep look indicated
well enough that many bitter thoughts passed
before time through his child's brain.
Finally his courage gave way, and this is
why - the baker was there; be wanted
money and refused TO let them have bread
| on credit any longer, only until the next
! day
At this moment the favorite axiom of bis
support their mammas when thev cannot
work any more"-was remembered by him.
| Poiyta rushed A long time ha r,rn,,,